Apparel for protecting lower body from wetness

ABSTRACT

A protective wrap for protecting the wearer from wetness that is designed to be easy to get into and out of, having an upper portion that protects the user&#39;s torso and a lower, enlarged foot enclosure that is removably attached. A vertical front flap opening is secured with a Velcro™ closure. The foot enclosure is attached with a horizontal, outdoor-type zipper. The wrap is designed for warmth and protection from elements, such as rain and cold, for a user who is sitting, standing, or moving about, and particularly those users who are in a wheelchair. The foot enclosure, which may have a non-skid bottom, may be made with carrying handles, and serve as a bag to conveniently carry the wrap and other items as desired.

FIELD

This invention relates to apparel to protect the body from damp. Morespecifically, this apparel encloses the lower torso, legs and feet, andhas an enlarged foot covering that is removable. The foot covering isconfigured to hold the other part of the apparel and to serve as acarrying bag.

BACKGROUND

There are a great many outdoor activities that require the participantsto remain seated for prolonged periods of time. In many cases,participants have a periodic need to stand, move, or walk about. Forexample, a spectator at a sporting event may sit for long periods, butoccasionally will wish to stand or jump to their feet. Long periods ofsitting, particularly outdoors, typically cause the body temperature todecrease slightly due to lack of movement and circulatory activity. Alsothe person outdoors is subject to rainy or damp weather. Consequently,the individual is likely to become easily chilled or cold and wet. Givenparticularly inclement weather conditions, such person might even be atrisk of hypothermia or frostbite.

Those participating in outdoor activities are known to employ variousmeans for keeping dray and also warm. In addition to wearing warmclothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and similar protective coveringsmight be used for added warmth and dryness. While there is no limit tothe bulk or number of layers one might cover up with in order to staydry and warm, comfort and ease of movement are often limited by suchprotective coverings. While such limited movement may be acceptablewhile the person is sitting, it often becomes uncomfortable andunacceptably confining when the individual wishes to stand or moveabout. For example, one who is tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag orblankets while seated on stadium bleachers might spontaneously jump totheir feet out of excitement, only to discover that they cannot regaintheir balance because their feet are too closely bound together. Theymay topple over, falling on other persons nearby, onto concrete, railingor stairs, and may thus be at risk of serious physical injury.

The use of sleeping bags or wrapped blankets for outdoor protection isalso problematic under conditions of precipitation. Rain or meltingsleet or snow typically causes such wraps to become wet and sodden. Inparticular, the portion of the wrap around the user's feet tends tobecome wet and soggy due to the movement of feet on the ground surfacebelow, upon which wetness pools. With many fabrics, once the bottombecomes wet, moisture naturally tends to creep upwards into the fabricabove, of consequently into the layers of clothing beneath the wraps.

Certain clothing items designed for outdoor warmth are made withseparate enclosures for the legs and feet to offer greater ease ofmovement than a sleeping bag or wrapped blanket might offer. Such legand foot enclosures might provide additional layers of protectionagainst wetness on the ground. Unfortunately, such garments do notalways provide as much warmth for the legs and feet as one might wish toenjoy. For example, in the case of a single wrap around both the legs,warm air is trapped in the interior space which helps maintain theperson's comfort. While an alternative garment might keep each leg warmby layers of material, such garment may not take advantage of trappedwarm air.

All the above mentioned difficulties associated with keeping warm whileseated and moving in a limited fashion during outdoor activities areexponentially increased for one who is confined to a wheelchair orsimilar seating apparatus. Such individuals are likely to have a limitedrange of motion, making it more difficult to step into, or apply ontotheir bodies, various protective clothing or wraps. Not only will such auser likely have to position themselves and the protective gear aroundthe wheelchair's frame, they might also have more difficulty closingsnaps or fasteners, tying knots, or closing small zippers.

In addition to the above problems, a wheelchair user is likely to havephysical conditions which result in a higher vulnerability to chill,coldness, and hypothermia due to constricted circulation, paraplegia,etc.

PRIOR ART

Prior art is found wherein various wader boots, having removable legmembers and foot coverings, are designed to facilitate easy applicationand removal. Similar art is found wherein a sport robe is constructed ofa single joined piece having two leg portions with enclosed feet and abody portion. The user steps into the robe, secures it at the waist, andcan sit or move freely about while in the protective robe. Yet othersimilar art is found wherein a protective garment having two legportions with enclosed feet also provides protective fold-over cuffs onthe foot covering to prevent liquids from entering the boots. All suchdesigns comprise separate enclosures for the user's two legs and feet,rather than providing a single enclosure for both torso and legs.

Other art is found wherein a lap robe is comprised of a primarilyrectangular sheet of material fashioned so as to enable the user to folda portion of the material around and under the feet, overlapping upwardsbehind the user's legs. The lower portion may then be tied or securedaround the legs enabling a snug enclosure while the user is seated. Thisdesign does not provide for a removable foot covering, and thereforedoes not allow the user to walk freely while maintaining protection ofthe lower torso and legs.

Similar art is found wherein a foot pouch blanket is comprised of ablanket which is folded at the bottom and stitched along the sides toform a pouch into which the user may place his feet while sitting on theupper blanket portion. Such designs do not provide for the fullenclosure of the lower torso and feet, nor is the foot coveringremovable.

Yet other art is found wherein a lap blanket designed for use by awheelchair occupant is comprised of an upper and a lower portion. Theuser's feet may be placed into the lower portion and fully enclosedtherein. The top portion covers the user's front torso, and is attachedto the lower portion at the user's lap. Unfortunately, such design doesnot fully enclose the user's torso. While the foot covering isremovable, it is not designed to allow the user to stand up and walkfreely while maintaining protection of the torso above the feet andlegs.

Similar art is found wherein a lap blanket for a wheelchair user isdesigned so that the blanket may be laid open in the wheelchair in a ‘T’shape. A user sits on the blanket, which is then positioned to enclosedthe feet and lower legs, being secured by a fastening means along afront slit. The upper portion of the blanket is wrapped horizontallyaround the user's waste and is fastened securely. Such design does notprovide for a removable foot covering, and the user cannot walk or movefreely while maintaining protection over the lower torso and legs.

Still other art is found wherein a warming bag is designed so as thefront and side walls and the bottom of the bag are one continuous pieceof material. A user may place his feet and lower torso into the bag. Oneside of the bag has a slit that enables the bag to be opened to easeentrance into the bag. A sliding closure like a zipper is used to securethe slit in a closed position to encase the user in the blanket. Similarart is found wherein a warming bag that is tapered in shape is designedin such a way that the bag's material does not wrinkle or fold behindthe knees when the user is in a seated position. Yet other similar artis found wherein a warming bag having a front slit with a sliding,zipper-like fastener is also comprised of a highly elastic portion alongthe bag's uppermost edge so it may be help securely at the user's waist.Still other similar art is found wherein a warming bag having a frontslit with a sliding, zipper-like fastener and a belt-like fastener atthe waste also comprises a pillow structure incorporated into the seat.Such designs do not have a removable foot covering, nor do they permitthe user to easily stand and walk freely about.

Other art is found wherein a walking bag is comprised of two parts foruse as a sleeping bag and a protective walking garment. A body portionhaving a head opening, shoulder suspenders and two integral leg portionscovers the wearer from shoulders to ankles. A separate bag portion maybe pulled on over the feet for added protection. Such design comprisesseparate enclosures for the user's torso, legs and feet, rather thanproviding a single enclosure. In addition, such design does not requireor use fasteners, so the foot covering is not fully secured to the bodyportion.

Therefore, what is desired and has not heretofore been provided, and isherein disclosed, is a body warming bag that completely encloses thelower torso and legs in a single enclosure, with an enlarged footcovering that is removable.

SUMMARY

Therefore in response to the need for a blanket for keeping a persondry, which may be used when seated, standing, or moving about, herein isdisclosed apparel comprised of: a wrap configured to encircle a person'slower body, and a removably attached foot enclosure for enclosing aperson's feet.

The foot enclosure is made to function as a bag and may convenientlycarry and hold the wrap.

The wrap is made with a drawstring at the top and two vertical Velcro™strips attached to the two ends of the wrap, the ends forming verticallyrunning flaps. The Velcro™ strips are brought together to fasten thewrap around the person's body. The flaps are, in turn, protected by aflap cover-over hem that prevents moisture from entering the wrap. Theuppermost edge of the wrap has a seamed hem with a drawstring which runsalong the uppermost length of the wrap. The drawstring exits the wrap'shem through grommets positioned on the outer surface of the wrap alongthe uppermost edge, on both front flap corners. Two closure fixturesattached to the drawstring allow the drawstring to be tightened bysecuring the fixtures snugly up against the wrap's grommets.

The upper back portion of the wrap is made to curve in accordance withthe wearer's spine, thereby compensating for the gathering of the wrapdue to the person sitting, and by curving or flaring, to prevent waterfrom entering the wrap at the person's back near the person's waist. Thewrap is also made to be larger at the top portion and to taper inwardaround the foot enclosure.

The lower foot-covering portion of the dry and warming wrap is attachedand detached from the upper portion of the wrap by a horizontal zipperhaving two zipper tabs. When the foot enclosure is attached to the upperportion of the wrap, a cover-over hem protects the horizontal zipper andkeeps moisture out of the wrap. In a first embodiment, the footenclosure of the wrap is made of the same material as the upper portion.In a second embodiment, the foot enclosure may have a waterproof,non-skid bottom.

The invention will be seen to have several benefits and advantages. Oneadvantage is that the water-protecting wrap is made of durable materialscapable of withstanding exposure to outdoor elements while keeping theuser warm and dry.

Another advantage of the warming wrap is that the front flap allows theupper portion of the wrap to be easily opened, and therefore it is easyto get in and out of, particularly for someone in a wheelchair.

And another advantage is the wrap is made so that closure is on theright front side to prevent water from entering the wrap when the personusing the wrap is seated.

And another advantage is the wrap is made to conform to the humanbody—it is larger at the waist section and tapers inward towards thefoot section. Further at the top and back, where the wrap is nearest theperson's back, the wrap is made to be curved and is longer toaccommodate shortening due to pulling down caused by the person sitting.By making the back top curved, a gape is prevented at the person's backnear the waist.

Yet another advantage is that the front flap's Velcro™ closure is easyto manipulate.

And another advantage is when the front flap is closed, a hem overlapsthe flap seam to prevent water from entering the wrap.

And another advantage is that the drawstring and closure fixtures allowthe wrap to be secured snugly at the user's waist.

Still another advantage is the user can get into the wrap, and adjustthe position of the front flap as desired, in the front, back or sideposition.

And yet another advantage is that the foot enclosure is enlarged toprovide roominess so the user can easily sit, stand or move about whilethe feet are enclosed.

Another advantage is the foot enclosure is removable so the user's feetcan be completely freed up for unencumbered ambulation.

And still another advantage is that the foot enclosure may be securedonto, or removed from, the upper portion by an easy to usebi-directional zipper.

And yet another advantage is that when the foot enclosure is attached, aflap cover-over prevents water from entering the wrap through thezipper.

Another advantage is that the foot enclosure may be removed forcleaning.

Still another advantage is that, in a second embodiment, the footenclosure has a waterproof, non-skid bottom.

And yet another advantage is the foot enclosure may be used to carry thewrap.

Another advantage is that the foot enclosure may be increased in lengthso as to easily produce various sizes of the wrap.

And yet another advantage is that the wrap may be embellished withvarious designs, logos, colors, etc.

Other benefits and advantages of the invention will appear from thedisclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown byway of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may bepracticed. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges may be made in details of the embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the wrap with the front flap open and thefoot enclosure attached.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the wrap with the front flap open and thefoot enclosure nearly detached.

FIG. 3 shows a user seated in a wheelchair wearing the complete wrapwith foot enclosure attached, and with cover over hem to prevent waterfrom entering the foot-covering portion.

FIG. 4 shows a user standing upright, wearing only the uppermost portionof the wrap.

FIG. 5 shows the bottom foot enclosure or protector separated from thewrap, showing the bottom of the foot enclosure having a non-skidsurface.

FIG. 6 shows the bottom portion—the foot enclosure—functioning as acarrying bag to carry the wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An Exemplary Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, anexemplary embodiment is disclosed. Other embodiments may be conceived,given the general principles of design, structure and use described inthe following pages. With reference to the included figures in theexemplary embodiment, a leg and lower body warmer wrap with adetachable, enlarged foot enclosure.

FIG. 1 shows apparel for protecting the wearer from wetness, the apparelcomprising a wrap 1000 having an upper back portion 1040 that is made tobe higher than the front portion 1020. In addition, the back of the wrap1010 is curved to conform to a human spine, and therefore by theconstruction 1010 and 1040 is made to prevent a gape where the wrap isworn at the wearer's back near the wearer's waist. The wrap 1000 has anopening that forms two flaps 1020, the flaps 1020 being secured by avertical Velcro™ closure 1030. The uppermost edge of the wrap has aseamed hem 1050 configured to accept a drawstring 1060 which runs alongthe uppermost length of the wrap along the circumference in the regionindicated by 1002. The drawstring exits the wrap's hem 1050 throughgrommets 1070 positioned on the outer surface of the wrap along theuppermost edge, on both front flap corners 1080. Two closure fixtures1090 attached to the drawstring 1060 allow the drawstring to betightened by securing the closure fixtures 1090 snugly up against thewrap's grommets 1070.

The top 1002 of the wrap flares or expands outward to better accommodatethe middle and hips of the wearer's body. The flaps 1020 and the Velcro™are configured to make closure on the right or left side of the wearer'sbody, which helps to prevent water from entering the wrap 1000.

The lower portion of the apparel has a removably attached foot enclosure1095 which is attached and detached from the bottom portion of the wrap1000 by a horizontal zipper 1097. The foot protecting portion 1095 isattached at the bottom of the wrap 1000 beneath a cover-over hem 1100made in the bottom of the wrap 1000.

FIG. 2 shows the foot-covering enclosure 2010 detached to the bottommostedge 2020 of the warmer wrap's upper portion 2000.

With reference to FIG. 3, the warmer wrap is shown being worn, theuppermost portion of the wrap 3000 with the front flaps in the closedconfiguration 3010. When the foot enclosure of the wrap 3020 is attachedto the upper portion of the wrap 3000, a cover-over hem 3030 protectsthe horizontal zipper (shown as 1097 in FIG. 1) from moisture. In avariation of the exemplary embodiment, the foot enclosure may have awaterproof, non-skid bottom 3060.

With reference to FIG. 4, when the removable foot enclosure of thewarmer wrap is detached 4000, the user may stand or move freely, withthe feet unencumbered 4010 for free ambulation. The uppermost edge 4020of the upper portion is secured to the user by a drawstring 4030contained within a seam along the wrap's uppermost edge 4020.

FIG. 5 shows the wrap 5000 separate from the bottom portion 5020, whichprotects the wearer's feet. It will be observed the bottom portion 5020,by its concave structure forms a natural enclosure that may be used tocarry the wrap 5000.

The bottom of the bottom portion 5020 may be made or endowed with anon-skid bottom 5025 to prevent the wearer from slipping on wetsurfaces.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the arrangement suggested in FIG. 5. In FIG.6, the bottom portion 6020 is configured with handles 6022. The bottomportion 6020 contains the wrap 6100, and with the handles 6022 serves asa convenient conveyance for the apparel.

DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

An apparel for keeping a wearer dry and also warm has been disclosed.The foregoing description of the structure, features and potentialmethods of use, of the apparel is intended to be illustrative and notfor the purpose of limitation. The apparel is amenable to variation andfurther alternative embodiments, all within the scope of the inventionas described above and set forth in the following claims.

1. A protective garment for keeping the person dry and comprisingpliable, water-resistant material wrapped about the person's lower body,the material made to taper from the person's hips to the person's legs,the wrap fastened on the person's right side, whereby liquid isprevented from the front of the person.
 2. The garment of claim 1,wherein the garment is made, when worn, is higher in the back than inthe front to compensate for the person sitting, whereby the garmentcovers the person's lower back.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein thewrap is made so that when the wrap is fastened the outside of the wrapoverlaps the inside of the wrap, whereby liquid is prevented fromentering the wrap.
 4. The garment of claim 1, further including a bottomcompartment worn about the person's feet, the bottom compartmentremovably attached to the wrap at the bottom by a zipper.
 5. The garmentof claim 4, wherein the bottom of the wrap overlaps the zipper, wherebyliquid is prevented from entering the bottom compartment.
 6. The garmentof claim 5, wherein the bottom compartment has a non-slip bottom.
 7. Anarticle of clothing to prevent a wearer's lower body from becoming wet,the clothing article comprising water resistant material wrapped aroundthe wearer's lower body to make an outer flap and an inner flap ofoverlapping material, the material made to taper from the wearer's hipsto the wearer's lower legs, wherein the material is fastened on theperson's right side by corresponding Velcro strips on the outer flap andthe inner flap, the outer flap overlapping the inner wrap to preventwater on the wearer's lap from entering the clothing article.
 8. Theclothing article of claim 7, further including a zipper at the bottom ofthe wrap, the wrap configured to overlap the zipper, the clothingarticle further including a water-proof enclosure for the wearer's feet,the enclosure removably fastened to the wrap by the zipper. 9.Protective clothing comprising water resistant material worn about aperson's lower body, the material made to taper according to theperson's body when worn, the material made to create an outer flapoverlapping an inner flap on the person's right side, the outer flapoverlaying the inner flap and removably fastened to the inner flap,whereby water in the person's lap is prevented from entering thematerial.
 10. The protective clothing of claim 9, wherein the materialis made higher in the back than in the front to accommodate the personsitting.
 11. The protective clothing of claim 10, wherein the bottom ofthe water resistant material has a zipper overlapped by the bottom ofthe water-resistant material, the protective clothing further includinga water-proof foot enclosure worn about the person's feet, thewater-proof enclosure made to be removably fastened to the waterresistant material by the zipper, whereby the person may sit or standwith feet enclosed by the water-proof enclosure.
 12. The protectiveclothing of claim 11, wherein the bottom of the water-proof enclosure ismade from skid-resistant material.
 13. Apparel worn about a person'slower body, the apparel comprising a wrap, wrapped about the person'swaist and extending down to the person's feet, the wrap made higher inthe back than in the front to accommodate the person when sitting, thewrap fastened at one side of the person's lower body and having a zippermade to open and close more less parallel to a surface upon which theperson stands, the zipper overlapped by material from the wrap, thezipper securing a bottom foot-protecting portion, within which theperson's feet are enclosed.
 14. A bag for protecting a person's feet,the bag configured to be attached by a zipper to a wrap, the wrapenclosing the person's lower body and secured by a vertically runningVelcro™ strip positioned on a side of the person's body.
 15. The bag ofclaim 14, further including handles, wherein the bag encloses the wrapand is used to carry the wrap with the handles.